Refrigerating apparatus



March 3, 1942. s. M. scHwELLER Erm. 2,275,323

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed May 29, 1940 2 ASheets-Shea?. l

1 l l l l l l l x l v J llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ||N.:/ A 41 Su vfsrnc M Scl/Hu IAIINVENTORS J.. l/ ...il all.

- 1W: M ATTORNEYS.

March 3, 1942- s. M. SCHWELLER ET A1. 2,275,323

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed May 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2,# nun ,5

gli?, 4 5w msu/e M ,Sn/warm, INVENTORS Patented Mar. 3, 1942v UNITE-D STATE amaze REFRIGEBATING APPARATUS Sylvester i f i .i Lowell y General Motors i corporation of Application M1129 M. Bchweller,

Gibson, Dayto Corporation, Dayton, Delaware Berman J. Dick, and n, Ohio, assignors to Ohio, Va

s claims. (crea-1oz) This invention relates to refrigeration and particularly to bottled beverage storage and refrigerating apparatuses.y c

- Since bottled beverage storage'and cooling apparatuses of the wet type, wherein the bottled beverages are stored in a liquid bath, have several disadvantages, namely, that `of dispensing a Wet bottle therefrom, from' which bottle liquid is Ylikely to flowor drip onto the consumer of the contents of the bottle and that of soaking labels oil the bottles before they are dispensed; attention has been focused on the provision of dry bottled beverage storing and cooling apparatuses. Dry bottled beverage ratuses have not, in general, been entirely satis-V factory because proper or ample cold air .circulation over the bottled goods has not been provided rapidly and uniformly enough in cabinets containing the bottled beverages. The present invention is, therefore, directed to the provision of a dry bottled beverage storage and cooling apparatus of improved characteristics and. novel" design. f i

An object of our invention is to improved bottled apparatus.

Another object of our invention is to provide an improved dry bottled beverage storageand cooling apparatus wherein the apparatus forms a dispensing devi provide ,an beverage storage and cooling ce and serving counter.

A further object of our invention is to provide a bottled beverage storage and dispensing apparatus wherein cold dry air is utilized for cooling the bottled goods to thereby prevent labels from being soaked off thebottles and. to permit the cooled bottled beverages to be `dispensed in a dry condition. y f

A still further and more specific object of our invention is to provide a dry bottled beverage storage and cooling apparatus having a horizontally elongated storage compartment provided with anovel and efficient duct arrangement for storage and cooling appaywall i3 hasa metal inner facing circulating relatively Warm air from the .com,

partment over a cooling element f of a refrigerating system and for distributing vthe cooled air in a plurality of streams uniformly throughout the length of the compartment, rection downwardly over and goods stored therein.

Further objects and advantages of vthe present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,- wherein a preferred' form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig.' l is a perspective view of a refrigerating. apparatus constructed .in accordance invention;

Flg.-2is' a transversev vertical sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. l;l

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view tudinally of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4' is an enlarged vertical fragmentary sectional view vofthe appar the line 4-14 of Fig. 2 disclosing ,an air ductv leading from the vstorage compartmentof to the cooling element chamber thereof. Referring to the drawings, for illustr invention, wehaveshown in Fig. l thereof a dry bottled` beverage storage and refrigerating apparatus .comprising an elongated, generally reetangularlyhaped cabinet l0. Cabinet l0` includes a bottom kIhside i2 and end insulated walls I3. and il (see Figs. 2` and 3) all faced with a suitablev outer finished metalpanel or top of the cabinetincludes a stationary rear partyorservlng ledge iiiiand a. pluralityof ing or` openings which provide access terior of the cabinet. At one end horizontally disposed extension i8 a vertical extension` i9 of the cabinet bottom wall, il (see Figs. 3 and 4) to. form in the lower portion'of one end of thecabinet a machine compartment 2i forthe reception of a motor-compressor unit of a yrefrigerating system. Thus, theinsulatedwalls il, |2, i3, il, it and I9 together with the cabinetftop part or ledge i1 form a horizontally elongated storage compartment 22 within cabinet Il joining insulation thereofand forming a compartment 22. The metal' liner vention land welly t the refrigerator cabinet construction art. In the structure disclosed the doors close theaccess opening or openings in the top of cabinet i0 are slidably mounted on tracks orl supports 25 extending from the front to the rear of the cabinet. It is to be noted that the. cabinet top part or serving ledge i6is disposed above the tracks or supports 25 to provide a space therebetween to permit the doors l1 tc be slid from the front of the cabinetto the rear thereof for uncoveringy the access opening or openings. Doors Il are provided with a flexible withk our taken ylongithe apparatusy atingr our of cabinet il v cabinet i0 by ,any

suitable and preferably rubber gasket 26 at the top of the apparatus andcomprisesl a motor 6|. opertheir back edge which gasket engages the lower atively connectedwith a compressor 92e, a confront portion of ledge I6, when the doors are in denser 63 and a finned-type evaporator 64. The closed position, to seal the space between the motor, compressor and condenser constitute a doors and the ledge or cabinet part I6 (see Fig. t unit located within the machine compartment 2l 2). A plurality of vertically disposed reticulated of cabinet l0 andthe evaporator 64 is disposed. or cross-wire partitions 21 are supported in any within the transverse chamber 4|. Suitable pipe suitable or desirable manner within compartor refrigerant conveying conduits extend from ment 22 and divide the dempartment into a pluthe compressor 62 to the condenser 93, from the rality of smaller compartments for the segregal0 condenser 63 to the evaporator 54 and from the tion of different varieties of bottled beverages. evaporator 64 to the compressor 62 to form the Another reticulated or cross-wire partition 23 e closed refrigerant circuit as is conventional in extends upwardly from the wall I8 to parti-tion the art (see Fig. 3). An expansion valve 66 is the shallow end part 29 of compartment 22 from interposed in the conduit leading from the conthe compartment 22 proper (see Figs. 3 and 4). 15 denser 63 to the evaporator 64 for controlling the The means for Cooling and Circulating all' flow of refrigerant cooled and liquefied in conwithin cabinet I0, in order to' chill bottled bev-V denser 63 into the evaporator. A control switch erages stored withinv the compartment 22 thereof, (not shown). for the refrigerating system may be includes means forming a narrow vertically dis-I employed to start and stop motor 6| and, conseposed air duct 3| along the inside of the frOnt 20 quently, compresser 62, andithis switchmay be wall I2 which means is in the form of a plate or responsive either to the temperature of evapbaiiie 33. Plate or baille 33 has its top and `botorator 64 or to the air within compartment 22. tom edges bent or rolled to engage or abut the The electric motor 46 may operate thevblower or liner 23 so as to space the main part 0f plate 33 fan 44 intermittently, if desired, but is preferably from the liner. A plurality of substantially U- 25 continuously operated yduring use of the appashaped brackets 34 welded or otherwise suitably ratus. Condenser 63 may be cooled in any suitsecured in spaced apart relation along the cabinet able or conventional manner and is preferably front wall maintains the plate`33 in vspaced relacooled by a fan (not shown) which draws 9,11-Y tion to the liner 23. Screwsor the like pass into the compartment 2|, through a grilled openthrough and engage the plate 33 and are threaded 30 ing 684 in a wall thereof, and circulates the-air into each ofthe spaced'apart brackets 34 t0 hold over the condenser and thence outwardly of the plate 33 in position. It will be" noted that compartment 2| through `a grilled opening in plate 33 is provided, preferably in its lower por-l another wan thereof (see Fig, 1), o tion, with a plurality of spaced apart openings In the use of .the apparatus to cool or chili 0r holes 3G PIOVidlng Communication betWeen the 35 bottled beverages stored within ythe compartment air duct 3| and the compartment 22 and with. 22 the refrigerating system is operated to cause a plurality of holes 31 providing communication evaporator 64 to produce a refrigerating effect of the air duct with the shallOw end compartwithin'chamber 4I. `Operation of fan or blower ment portion 2s (see Fig. 4). lIphe plate 33 eX- 44, by motor 46. causes air to be drawn from tends throughout the length 0f Compartment 22 40 along the length of compartment 22 through the and yhas its one end, adjacent the compartment plurality of :spaced apartA holes 3B in plate 33 29. Opening into a normally Closed transverse and from compartment 29 through the holes 31 chamber 4| formed by a baille 42 *whichl is s. into the vertical relatively fiat air duct 3| from cured to the cabinet Walls in any suitable. 0r one end of which the air flows into the cooling conventional manner. A shroud or housing 43 45 element .chamber 4|. The air upon entering connected to baille 42 vcommunicates with the chamber 4| is drawn between the ns-of evapinterior of the transverse chamber 4| and conorator 64 and Aover the-coils thereof to reduce tains a fan or blower 44 (see Fig. 3). An electric its temperature and is then circulated from the motor 46 is connected to the fan or blower 44 chamber 4|, through a suitable opening in baille for operating same. A metal conduit forming 42, into the shroud or housing.43 by the fan or member 48 has its one end connected with the blower 44. Fan or blower 44 then forces the shroud or housing 43 and has its other end concooled air from the housing 43 into the connectnected with a means disposed beneath the cabing conduit member 49 and into the one end of vinet part or ledge I6 which means forms another the flat horizontal airduct 49. The cold air flows relatively flat wide horizontally disposed air duct 'along the length of `duct 49 and is discharged 49 extending substantially throughout the length therefrom along the length of compartment l22 of compartment 22. This means forming air duct through the spaced apart/openings 54 in the 49 comprises a hollow metal member 5| having bottom of the cold airduct formingV means 5|. closed ends and supported in any suitable man- The cold air from duct 49 'ows downwardly and ner within compartment 22,v such as by straps transversely in `a plurality of divided Astreams orthe like 52 secured to the door tracks 25 (see alongjthe length of compartment 22, over` and Fig. 3).- Member 5| has a plurality of apertures around bottled beverages stored therein to cool 54 in its bottom (see Fig. 2) to provide communithe contents of the bottles. Heat extracted from cation between the duct 49 and the storage -comthe bottled beverages is carried by the air drawn partment 22. 'I'hese apertures 54 are spaced 65 into the relatively warmor return duct-3| back apart along the length of the air duct forming to the cooling chamber 4I where the heat is given member 5| for a purpose to be hereinafter deup to the cooling element or evaporator 64 of scribed. An L-shaped metal partition 5o cothe refrigerating system and dissipated tothe air operates with the baille 42 and with the rear wall outside of the refrigerator cabinet.v If desired, of compartment 22 to enclose the motorv46 and 70 the openings 36 in plate 33 and the openings 54 low end part 29 of compartment 22 suitable for one another or they ,may be irregularly spaced the storage of various packaged articles to be vapart to enhance a uniform ow of air along. the refrigerated. length of compartment 22.

A closed refrigerating system is associated with From the foregoing it willbe apparent that we have provided an improved bottled beverage apparatus which forms a' device and serving counter be readily dis-,-

' storage and cooling combined dispensing remain intact sulated walls and a top formingy zair, andl said fan forcing theA air in 'that the bottled beverages may pensed fromv their cooling compartment and placed upon the'` back part or ledge o f thetop of" the cabinet for serving; The' improved apparatus provides eiiicient circulationuand even "distribua tion of c old air within the storage compartment forrapidly cooling bottled goods stored therein and at the same time enables the *storing and serving of many'different types or varieties of bottled'beverages Bottled goods are dispensed in `a cool dry condition' and labelson the bottles the' type of drink; ordered being served. The built-in forced air distribution .or circulationof our apparatus insures a constant stream or streams of cold air over the top bottlesv in the storage compartment which areto be dispensed first, and thereafter over and aroundl the lower` bottles in its passage to the return air duct.

Whilel the L'form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to v bek understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the clamswhich follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

to indicate to Athe consumer that' zontally elongated compartment at one end thereof, a cooling element of a refrigerating system disposed in said chamber,'means forming an air duct having a connection with said-chamber and; therefrom along said elonsubstantially `tor the other.. Y endV thereof, said-air duct beingprovided witha apart openings affording l extending outwardly gated compartment plurality: of v spaced' communication-thereofwith they lowerl portion a plurality of communication thereof with thev upperzportion of v said elongatedl compartment, `(a fan l'adapted to of said elongated' compartment;l means beneath said cabinet top forming' another air ducthavingia connection with said chamber and extending outwardly 1 therefromy along said -elongated compartment substantially.- :to said other end.

thereof,saidl another air..duct being yprovided with spaced apart openings circulate air through saidduct forming means and said chambenmeans for operating said fan;

to cause same to circulate air from said com.,-

`partment Vthrough the openings in` said first and-over the cooling lement therein to cool the` 1. A dry bottled beverage storage and refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a

cabinet includinga bottom,` side and endV inelongated compartment-therein, said cabinet top` having an opening therein providing access to said compartment, a door or doors normally closv ing'said compartment access openinga closed chamber extending transversely across said hori-l zontally elongated compartment.,` a l'cooling element of a refrigerating system disposed in said chamber, means forming-an air -ducthaving `a connection with said chamber and extending l'outwardly therefrom along a horizontally `1 named duct forming-,means into said chamber air',` and saidfan forcing the aircooled;byfsaidelementout of said chamber intosaid another duct-,forming means and outwardly of the openings therein .into the upper part of said `elongated-compartment whereby the cooled air flows downwardly in a 'plurality of streams-alongthe lengththereof.- 1

3. Aidry bottled beveragestorage aiiidrefriger.`

ating-*apparatus comprising in combination, a cabinetincluding4 a gated compartment therein,: saidr -cabinet top having an openingy therein providing' access to y said compartment, adoor or doors normally closment, said air duct being providedwith a 'plurality i of spaced apart openings affording communication thereof with the lower portion of said elongatedcompartment, means top forminganotherair tion with said chamber and extending outwardly therefrom along said elongated compartment, said another air duct being provided withy a plurality vof spaced apart openings affording combeneathsaid cabinet duct having' aconnecing said compartmentv access opening, a relatively long narrow closed chamber` extending transhorizontally elongated compartment, a cooling. element of a refrigerating system disposedxin-said chamber, means forming anair duct having a connection with one end of said chamber; and extending outwardly .therefrom along a side wall of -said elongated compartment, sairlair` duct being provided in its bottom portion with a plurality of spaced apart openings A affording communication thereof with the lower munication thereof with the upper portion of v said elongated compartment, afan adapted to circulate air 'through said duct forming means and said chamber, means for operating said ian to cause same to circulate air fromsaid coni-.,-` in said first partment throughA the openings named -duct forming means into said chamber and'over the cooling element therein to coolthe cooled-by said element out of said chamber into said another part' of saidv elongated compartment, means beneath said cabinet top forming another air duct having a connection with theother end of said l chamber and extending outwardly therefrom along saidA elongated compartment, said another air duct beingprovidedin its `bottomfwall with a plurality :ofspaced .apart openings vaffording communication thereof with the upper part of said` elongated compartment, a fan interposed in oneof said ductforming means adjacentitsconduct forming means `and outwardly of the openings therein into thev upper part of said elongated compartment whereby the cooled air iiows downwardly in a plurality of streams along the length thereof.

2. A dry bottled beverage storage and refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a cabinet including a bottom, side and end insulated walls and a top forming` a horizontally elongated compartment therein, said cabinet top having an opening therein providing access to said compartment, a door or doors normally closing said compartment access opening, a closed chamber extending transversely acrosssaid horinection with said chamber adapted to circulate air through said duct forming means and said chambenmeans for operating said fanto cause same to circulate -air-from saidcompartment through the openings in vsaid first named duct forming means into said chamber and over the cooling element therein to cool the air, and said fan forcing the air cooled by said element out of said chamber into rsaid another duct forming. means and outwardly of-'the openings therein into the upper part of said elongated compartment whereby the cooled air'ows downwardly and transversely in a plurality'offstreams along the length thereof.

4. A dry bottled beverage storage and refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a

aording,y

I bottom, side and end insu- 'lated walls and atop forming. a horizontally eloncabinet including a bottomisideand end insulated walls arida top forminga horizontally elongated compartment therein, said cabinet .top having an opening therein providing accesstosaid compartment, a door or doorsnormally closing said compartment access opening, a relatively,

long narrow closed chamber extending transversely across said horizontally elongated compartment at one end thereof, a cooling element of a refrigerating system disposed in said chamber, means forming an air duct having a connection with one end of'said chamber and extending outwardly th'erefrom along a side wall of said elongated compartment substantially to the other end.

thereof, said air duct being provided in its bottom portion with a plurality of spaced apart openings affording communication .thereof with the lowerpart of said elongated compartment, means beneath said cabinet top forming another air duct having a connection with the other end of said chamber and extending outwardly therefrom along said elongated compartment substantiallyv to said other end thereof, said anotherair duct erating said fan to cause same to circulate `-air from saidk compartment-through the openings in said rst named duct forming means into said chamber and over the cooling-element therein to cool the air, and said fanforcing th'e air cooled by said element `out of said chamber into said another 'duct forming means andA outwardly ofV the openings therein vinto the upper part of'said elongated compartment whereby the cooled lair dows downwardly and transversely in a plurality of streams along the` length thereof. f f

5. A dry bottled beverage storage and refrigerating apparatus comprising in, combination, av

cabinet including a bottom, side and end insulated Walls and a top forming a horizontally elongated compartment therein, said cabinet top having an opening therein providing access to said compartment, said flat horizontally disposed air` duct having a connection with said chamber and being provided with a plurality yoi spaced apart lopenings in its bottom wall anording communication thereofwith the upper part of said elongated compartment. a fan interposed in said flat horizontally disposed air ductadjacent its con-l nection with said chamber adapted toA circulate air through said air ducts and said chamber, means for operating said fan to cause same to circulate air from said compartment through the openings in said vertically disposed air duct-into said chamber and over the cooling element therein to cool the air, andsaid. fan forcing the air.

cooled bysaid element out of said chamber into said nat horizontally disposed air duct andout wardly of the' openings therein into the upper part of saidelongated compartment whereby the cooled air flows downwardly and transversely in a plurality of streams along th'e length thereof.v

6, A dry bottled beverage storage and refrigerating` apparatus comprising in combination, a cabinet including `a bottom, a top, side and end walls forming a horizontally elongated compartment therein, said cabinet having an yopening thereinl providing access to said compartment, a door or doors normally closing saidcompartment access opening, a chamber within said'cabinet extending transverselyl of said horizontally elongatedvcompartment, a cooling element of a refrigerating. system disposed tin said chamber, means forming an air duct havinga connection withf said chamber and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction along the length of said horizontally elongated compartment; said air duct being provided with a pluralityA of spaced apartopenings therealong affording communication thereof with the compartment. means formcompartment, a. door or doors normallyclosing said compartment access opening, a closed chamber extending transversely across said horizontally elongated compartmentat one end thereof, a cooling element -of a refrigerating system disposed in said chamber, means forming arelatively narrow vertically disposed air vduct along a sidewall of said elongated compartment, saidv air duct having a connection with said chamber and being provided with 'a plurality of spaced apart openings in its bottom portion affording communication thereof with the lower part of said elongated compartment, means beneath said cabinet top Vforming a relatively fiat horizontally disposed air duct extending 'along said elongated inganother air duct haying aconnection with said chamber. and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction along the length of said horizontally'elongated compartment, said another air duct being provided with a plurality of spaced apart openings therealong affording communication thereof with said compartment. means adapted to circulate air through said 4duct forming means and said chamber, means Ai'or operating said air circulating .means to kcause ysame to circulate air from said` compartment through the openings in said nrstnamed duct forming means into said chamber and over the coolingv element therein -to cool the air. and said air circulating means forcing the air cooled by said element out of said chamber into said another duct forming means and outwardly of the openings therein into 

